New fathers, adoptive parents and single mothers of babies born after 1 January 2017 will now have greater support. This comes after Parliament passed a Bill to amend the Child Development Co-Savings Act. Key amendments include the enhancement of the paternity leave, shared parental leave, adoption leave schemes as well as extending leave benefits to unwed mothers.
In an exclusive with NTUC This Week, NTUC Industrial Relations Department Director (Progressive Wage Model) and Labour Member of Parliament Desmond Choo said the enhancements show that the Government is serious about helping young families.
However, he highlighted that not all new fathers have been using the previously legislated one-week paternity leave. In 2015, only 40 per cent of new fathers used their one-week paternity leave. The Government-paid paternity leave for new fathers will now be increased to two weeks from next year onwards.
Addressing the low consumption rate, Mr Choo said: “We need to go out and study the structural gaps that prevent our working fathers from using the paternity leave they are entitled to. As a Labour Movement, we should help both workers and unionised companies put in perspective on what can be done.
“So it is important that in the next few months, we monitor the situation closely and canvas our network to provide recommendations to the Ministry.”
He suggested that the Labour Movement continues to recognise companies that have put in place progressive practices like flexible work arrangements.
“By creating that platform, other companies can learn how such practices are implemented and how these practices help create a system that allows employees to go on their paternity leave,” he said.
Mindset Change
He suggested that the low take-up rate of parental leave by working fathers may also be due to a mindset.
“Many fathers may feel embarrassed when they take up the paternity or shared parental leave as they may feel that they have been away from work too long when they go on reservist leave for two weeks or three weeks.
“But for women, our system has come to accept that once mothers go on maternity leave, it will usually be for the full 16 weeks. We, therefore, need to help fathers to similarly adopt the mindset that it is also alright to consume their leave to help their wives out with their child.
“If bosses, managers and supervisors are also not taking their leave, this isn’t setting a good example. I hope the management level can take the step to take their own paternity and shared parental leave to set an example.”
Inclusive Enhancements
With the amendment to the Act, adoptive mothers now have their leave increased to three months, while single mothers will receive 16 weeks of paternity leave.
“It all boils to being an inclusive Singapore. And to be that, every child, regardless of his circumstance must enjoy the same opportunities to succeed in life,” he said.
According to him, there are still other policies and areas that can be moved for adoptive mothers and single mothers. These include certain tax reliefs and baby bonuses.
